It’s good to be blogging again! I was out-of-town for several days and didn’t have the opportunity to post. Last week was a special time for me as it marked my “spiritual birthday” or the anniversary of the day I gave my heart and life to Christ. I can’t believe it was 21 years ago! I was very blessed to make that initial decision as a child and then to learn what that commitment means as I grew up and entered adulthood. It really used to bother me that I had decided to become a follower of Christ so early and I didn’t have the dramatic story of redemption and conversion that many others seem to have – I felt like my experience wasn’t real. But as I grew older, God showed me that every story of coming to Him is miraculous – not because of what we’ve done, but because of what He’s done. The story of salvation is His story.
The Great Exchange, the Gospel, never ceases to amaze me. It’s strength and message has grown stronger and more incredible to me as I get older. My life is the hands of the God who exchanged His divinity for my humanity, His life for my death, His righteousness for my sin. Even more than covering my sin and making me right with Him, He gives me His righteousness, His strength, His love. That the God of the universe would even be aware of my existence is amazing, but that He would love me and sacrifice everything to restore relationship with me is beyond comprehension!
God has been so faithful to me, patiently leading and teaching me, showing me more of Himself. We’ve come a long way, and it hasn’t always been easy. I struggle hard and long with trusting Him sometimes. So often, it seems easy to trust God for a home in heaven, but not for what happens tomorrow. But God is trustworthy for both. And I’m thankful for what He is teaching me now – that joy is not found in our circumstances, but in gratefulness for what God provides. We can’t hold joy with closed fists, clutching what we have. Joy can only be held with open hands and humble gratitude for all the gifts He gives. Because everything is a gift.
Blessings to you,
Sarah
anordinarymiracleday 